Athletic Club will face Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín on Thursday night (21:00 CET) for their Copa del Rey quarter-final.
It will be the 21st time the two teams have played each other in the domestic cup competition. What’s more, on two occasions, the Basques and the Andalusians have even battled it out for the trophy.
Athletic won the 1930-31 final 3-1, while Betis lifted the trophy in 1976-77, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
In the 2004-05 season, the two sides faced each other in the semi-finals. Athletic, under Ernesto Valverde, were on the brink of reaching a major final for the first time in 21 years. But after two goalless draws, the Lions were knocked out on penalties at San Mamés.
The last time the teams crossed paths was in the 2013-14 Copa del Rey round of 16. Athletic lost the first leg 1-0 at the Benito Villamarín, but Mikel Rico scored two goals at San Mamés to fire the Lions to victory and the quarter-finals.
Marcelino: “A victory for us would’ve been fair”
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Marcelino bemoaned the defensive mistakes that led to Levante’s goal
Athletic held to frustrating draw by Levante
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Despite constantly threatening, Athletic only pick up one point from a match where both goals came from the penalty spot
Confirmed line-ups: Levante UD vs Athletic Club
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The XI’s for tonight’s LaLiga match at the Ciutat de Valéncia
Global TV Guide: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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When and where to watch Athletic’s upcoming LaLiga match against Levante UD
Marcelino: “We’re focused on winning tomorrow”
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Marcelino looks ahead to Friday night’s LaLiga Santander match against Levante UD
Squad list: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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Marcelino has called up 23 players for Friday night’s clash with Levante UD at the Ciutat de València
A big week against Levante
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Athletic will face Levante twice in six days, starting with a LaLiga fixture on Friday (21:00 CET)
Raúl García: “The more difficult the challenge, the better”
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After extending his contract with Athletic Club until 2022, Raúl García expressed his intention to keep going “as long as he was up to the task of competing for this Club”
Raúl García signs contract extension until 2022
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The agreement includes an option for a further season depending on a number of targets.
Berenguer in top goalscoring form
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Athletic Club’s most recent signing is our current top goalscorer with six goals, four coming in his last five appearances